Nets Reportedly Close To Signing Collins, First Openly Gay NBA Player

Jason Collins and the Brooklyn Nets are meeting in California and he could sign with the team on Sunday, a person familiar with the situation said.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the talks were ongoing and being kept confidential.

ESPN.com was first to report that the Nets were expected to sign Collins.

Collins would become the first active openly gay player in the NBA. The Nets play the Lakers in Los Angeles on Sunday night. Collins revealed at the end of last season he is gay, but he was a free agent and has remained unsigned.

The 35-year-old center played in 38 games for Boston and Washington in 2012-13. He has a number of former teammates on the Nets, including coach Jason Kidd.

General Manager Billy King said earlier this week the Nets had worked out Collins and he was a candidate to fill the team's need for a post player.

King said the Nets wouldn't be concerned about any extra attention the signing of Collins would provide.

"We're going to bring in a basketball player," King said. "It's not about marketing or anything like that."

The Nets have an opening for a big man after trading Reggie Evans along with Jason Terry to Sacramento on Wednesday for guard Marcus Thornton.

The news on Collins comes as Michael Sam, the SEC defensive player of the year from Missouri who recently revealed he is gay, is taking part in the NFL draft combine. Sam's on-field workouts in Indianapolis are scheduled for Monday.

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